USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Acton > An address delivered at Acton, July 21, 1835, being the first centennial anniversary of the organization of the town : with an appendix > Part 3
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In October, 1776, when a proposition was before the people, that the Executive and Legislative branches of the Provincial Government should frame a Constitution for the State, the town of Acton commit- ted the subject to Francis Faulkner, Simon Tuttle, Ephraim Hapgood, Samuel Hayward, Ephraim Hosmer, Joseph Robbins, and Nathaniel Edwards, who reported the following resolutions, which were unani- mously accepted :-
"1. Resolved, That, as this State is, at present, destitute of an es- tablished form of government, it is necessary one should be immedi- ately formed and established.
"2. Resolved, That the Supreme Legislative, in that capacity, are by 3
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no means a body proper to form and establish a Constitution, for the following reason, viz : Because a Constitution, properly formed, has a system of principles, established to secure the subjects, in the possession of their rights and privileges, against any encroachments of the Legis- lative part ; and it is our opinion, that the same body that forms a Con- stitution, have, of consequence, a power to alter it; and we conceive, that a Constitution, alterable by the Supreme Legislative power, is no security to the subjects, against the encroachments of that power, on our rights and privileges.
"3. Resolved, That the town thinks it expedient that a Convention be chosen, by the inhabitants of the several towns and districts in this State, being free to form and establish a Constitution for this State.
" 4. Resolved, That the Hon. Assembly of this State be desired to recommend to the inhabitants of the State, to choose a Convention, for the above purpose, as soon as possible.
"5. Resolved, That the Convention publish their proposed Constitu- tion, before they establish it, for the inspection and remarks of the in- habitants of this State."
At a meeting in February, 1778, the United States' " Articles of Confederation, and Perpetual Union," after being twice read, were accepted by the town.
In the month of May following, a Constitution, or frame of Govern- ment, for the State, which had been formed by the General Court, though the records say, " by a Convention chosen by the people," was laid before the town for consideration, and was rejected, by a vote of fifty-one to eighteen.
This instrument seems to have been so offensive to the inhabitants, that, in May of the next year, (1779,) an article being inserted in the warrant, " To see if the town will choose, at this time, to have a new Constitution, or frame of Government," the proposition was rejected.
The proposition, however, though rejected by this town, was accept- ed by a majority of the people, and, in July, 1779, Francis Faulkner was chosen a delegate to sit in a Convention, at Cambridge, to form a Constitution ; and the result was, that the present Constitution of this Commonwealth was laid before the town, for consideration, on the 28th day of April, 1780 ; and, it being read, the meeting was adjourn- ed, for consideration, till the 15th of May. On that day, the articles were debated, and, at a further adjournment, on the 29th of the same month, every article was approved by a majority of more than two thirds of the votes.
In 1779, Joseph Robbins, Seth Brooks, and Thomas Noyes, were chosen delegates to a Convention, at Concord, to regulate the prices of the necessaries of life !
In 1786, Simon Tuttle and Thomas Noyes were sent to a Conven- tion, at Concord, holden August 23, the object of which was to redress the grievances, which were imputed to the government of the Com- monwealth, and particularly to the courts of law. What part the town took, in that well-known insurrection, does not very clearly appear from the records .*
* The following is all that appears on the records :-
At a meeting held Oct. 2, 1786, Voted, that the ten articles of grievances stated by the Conven- tion at Concord, are agreeable to the sentiments of this town, except the eighth article. Then the
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In December, 1787, Asa Parlin of Carlisle, was chosen, by the town and district, a delegate to represent them in the Convention of the State, which was soon to sit in Boston, to consider and act on the proposed Constitution of the United States ; and a committee, consist- ing of Francis Faulkner, Abraham Skinner, Nathaniel Hutchinson, Simon Tuttle, Deacon Ephraim Robbins, John Heald, jr. Thomas Noyes, Thomas Hutchins, and Daniel Davis, were chosen to frame and report Instructions for the Delegate, at an adjournment of the meeting. But, on better reflection, that measure was abandoned, and, on the adjournment, it was voted that no instructions should be given. There is great good sense in leaving the mind of a representative open to conviction.
I must now only take time to name the men, who first represented the town, in the Legislature of the State, before the commencement of the present century.
The first representative was Joseph Fletcher, in 1768. The town was not again represented till 1774, when Josiah Hayward was chosen, and he was re-elected the next year. He was succeeded, in 1726, by Mark White ; and from that time, till the adoption of the Constitution, no representative was chosen. The first representative, under the Constitution, was Simon Hunt, who was chosen in 1780, by the joint ballots of Acton and Carlisle, which was incorporated as a district, on the 28th of April, 1780, and joined to Acton in the choice of a repre- sentative. The elections were afterwards made, in the same manner, till February 18, 1805, when Carlisle was incorporated as a town. Francis Faulkner was elected in 1982-3-4 and 5, and Thomas Noyes in 1787 and 1789. In 1781, 1786, and 1788, there was no repre- sentative chosen. Deacon Ephraim Robbins, of Carlisle, was elected in 1790 ; his successor was Jonas Brooks, who was continued in the office through the remainder of the century, which is as far as I have proposed to inquire.
I now proceed to notice my last topic, the memorable 19th of April. A day, which tried the souls, even of the brave. And here I must be excused, if, in noticing the events of it, the narration shall sometimes have the spirit, if not the form, of eulogy. It was no training-no muster, to which the men of Acton were warned in the morning. It was no town meeting, which claimed their attendance. No votes- no resolutions were to be passed. The resolution had been already taken. The days of preparation were over. The day for action had
question was put, whether the town will choose a committee to make a draft of instructions to their members, who are to sit in the Convention at Concord the third day of October instant ; Voted in the affirmative, and Francis Faulkner, Joseph Robbins, Jonas Brooks, Samuel Parlin, and Samuel Fitch, were chosen for that purpose. The report of the committee being read, was accepted by the town, and delivered to Lieutenant Noyes, one of the members; and the meeting was adjourned to next Monday, to hear the report of our members from the Convention, and to act thereon as the town shall think proper.
Oct. 9, 1786. The town being met according to adjournment, the Petition from the Convention to the General Court, in behalf of twenty towns in this county being read, the question was put, whether the town will join, in said Petition, the nineteen towns to the General Court, for redress of grievances, and it passed in the negative.
Then a motion was made, (eight voters only being present,) whether they would take under con- sideration the seven articles stated by the Convention, and never laid before the several towns for approbation, and consider them as grievances and difficulties, which passed in the affirmative. (For the seventeen articles of grievances, see Shattuck's History of Concord, &c. page 139.)
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arrived. The men of Acton had pledged their lives, in the cause of Freedom, and they were waked out of sleep to redeem the pledge.
Some of the young men, of whom I speak, are now old, and are here present. They have lived to see realized all their young hopes of Independence and Liberty ;- to see, not a Nation only, but Na- tions, built and flourishing upon the principles, which they had assert- ed, and which they marched to Concord to maintain and defend. There are others in hearing, whose memories are still fresh with the particulars of that tragedy ; and who well remember the erect forins, and living features of Isaac Davis, Abner Hosmer, and James Hay- ward; and some, who saw the same forms prostrate, and the same fea- tures inanimate and pale, and placed, side by side, in the house of mourning. These are my witnesses ; and if, in the statements I am about to make, any partiality to my native place shall tempt me to give color beyond the limits of truth, let them correct me.
Let it not be supposed that any attempt is to be made to extend to this generation the honors which belong to the last ; or to claim, for the present inhabitants of Acton, any of the glory, which belongs ex- clusively to those, who faced the enemy, and those, who, by their counsel and aid, encouraged and enabled them to do so. We can only partake of the honor, by imitating their example, and doing jus- tice to their memories.
To the honor of having the first British blood shed within its limits, the town of Acton can lay no claim. And how much honor and glo- ry would have been shed on this little town, from that circumstance, will not be made a matter of calculation. If the honor belongs to Lexington, it is because the British gave the brave company there, the first opportunity. If the first blood was shed at Concord, the men of Acton arrived in season to shed it.
Without deeming it of much importance to consider the relative times and places of the occurrences of that day, I shall contend, that Isaac Davis was the life and soul of action, in advancing to the bridge. at Concord ; and that it is reasonable to believe, that, had he lived, the events of the conflict, in the morning, would have given a charac- ter to the Concord fight, much above what, now, it can be made to assume.
This matter will be dwelt upon the more particularly, because the voice of Acton, in regard to it, has never been heard. The scene of action being at Concord, it was natural for history to presume that the spirit of resistance was born there. It is true, that Capt. Davis is mentioned, by historians, as commanding the company in front ; and there is no reason, in general, to complain of the manner, in which his conduct and courage have been treated. But how it happened, that a captain, lower in rank than the commanders of the Concord minute-men,-belonging to another town, and having no property, nor 'defenceless friends, in the village, to need his protection,-was placed in the front, has never, it is believed, been truly explained, by any historian. And perhaps this might not have been deemed a fit occa- sion for making the explanation, if a representation, from a very re- 'spectable source, had not been published, within a few years, entitled *' A History of the Fight at Concord," in which an explanation is giv- 'en, at the expense of the good sense, the modesty, and the courage of Capt. Davis.
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The representation there given is in the following words :-
" In the mean time, the number of armed Americans was augment- " ed, and they had marched to the high land, near the north bridge, " at the northwest of it. From this station, the centre of the town " was in fair view, and the British, at the bridge, were before their "eyes, and within gun-shot. Here the military companies formed ; " and, when in this position, Capt. Davis of Acton arrived, and brought " on his company ; and, passing by the other companies, took the right " of the whole, which placed him nearest to the bridge, and in front, " when they marched toward the enemy." The word "right," for some purpose, was printed in italics.
From this account, any one not acquainted with the character of Isaac Davis, would infer that he was solicitous of obtaining the most honorable place, whether it belonged to him or not ; and that he was thus unexpectedly brought in front, from his ignorance of military movements. What the facts were, will be stated in their proper place.
The time and manner of raising the minute company under Capt. Davis have been already related. It consisted of about forty members.
The other commissioned officers were John Hayward, and John Heald. They all had the confidence and esteem of the company. Their frequent meetings had created an intimacy with, and a confi- dence in, each other, which united them, to a man. They were full of the spirit of Liberty, and indignant at the wrongs of the British Gov- ernment ; and their love for their commander, and their confidence in his judgement and courage, made them ready to follow him any where. On the other hand, Capt. Davis knew what to expect from a band so devoted to him, and to the cause which they had espoused, and which they had been organized to defend.
There were two other companies of infantry, or of militia, as they were called ; the one in the east, and the other in the west part of the town. The officers of the first, were Joseph Robbins, Israel Heald, and Robert Chaffin. The other was commanded by Lieut. Simon Hunt, whose ensign was Thomas Noyes. A vacancy existed in the office of captain, by the promotion of Francis Faulkner to that of Ma- jor of the regiment. He was engaged in the fight, and during the pursuit to Charlestown.
These companies had also met frequently for exercise, though not so often as the minute-men. Of their situation, discipline, and con- duct, I am not so well informed. And it is not my purpose to bestow applause, without knowing of what I affirm. From all that has been said, however, there is no reason to doubt, that they are entitled to a full share of praise, among the companies that had not been subjected to the discipline of the minute men. What place they took in the fight, is not satisfactorily ascertained ; but it is believed that Lieuten- ant Hunt's company was not far in the rear of the Concord minute companies, as the company had begun to turn the corner, and pass into the main road leading to the bridge, when the firing took place. This fact I have from Mr. Aaron Jones, who was a member of the company, and is here present.
Such was the state of things, in the evening of the 18th of April, when the people of Acton retired to their beds. Eight hundred of the British troops were then landing, from their boats, at Lechmere Point.
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From day-break to sunrise, the word was given, from house to house, that a large body of the British troops, their number unknown, were on their march to Concord. It is not easy for us to have a full idea of the feelings which then existed in the breasts of parents, wives, and children ; or in those of the men, who were summoned to arms. There are those in hearing, to whom they need not be described. The rustic soldiers of Acton had never seen a British soldier, in uniform, and had only read of his appearance in armor. But they determined to see them. Many went directly to the bridge, and there waited to join their companies. Others repaired to the houses of their command- ers, and there formed for the march.
Capt. Davis's house was about one mile west of the meeting-house, and about six miles from the north bridge. About twenty of the com- pany, as soon as they could make the necessary preparations, repaired to his house. Many of them made their cartridges there. Those who had not taken breakfast at home, partook at his table. His words, that morning, were few. His heart was full and heavy, and he had a seeming anticipation of his fate. But he was not daunted, and made haste to be ready. One of his men, making use of some light expres- sion, was checked by Capt. Davis, and reminded of the fate that might await him. The situation of his family oppressed him. At the age of thirty, he had a wife of about his own age, and four children ; the oldest ten, the youngest about one year of age. His children were all sick ; some of them with the canker rash. It may seem that the feelings of the husband and father were overpowering his devotion to the cause of his country. But it was not so. As soon as his men were in readiness, he gave directions to form the company, and the drum, for the first time, beat to arms. When they were ready to pro- ceed, he turned to his wife, as if to take leave of her ; but he could only say, " Take good care of the children ;" and, turning himself instantly, he took up his march for Concord.
Here were the indications of true courage. Not that, which vaunteth itself to conceal the fears within. Nor that, which springs from in- sensibility to friends, and a disregard of every thing sacred. But that courage, which grows out of a sense of duty, and which the love of life or friends cannot disturb.
The particulars of that morning, as here related, I have principally from the venerable widow, who, as you know, is now such for the third time ; and whose age and infirmity prevent her presence among you. Of the excellence of her life and character you need not be told.
Capt. Davis delayed with his company, a short time, north of Col. Barrett's, to observe the movements of the detachment of the British, who were there searching for military stores, but soon proceeded, with quick step, by the eastern or back road to the high ground, north of the bridge. When he arrived, several companies had formed, and armed men were coming in, from all quarters ; in the whole, between four and five hundred.
Capt. Davis immediately placed his company where it belonged, and where it had been placed, a few weeks before, at a muster, on the left of the Concord minute companies.
Let us now see what was the state of things, when Capt. Davis ar- rived.
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At that time, it was known that the detachment had gone to Col. Barrett's house, and there was also another, stationed at the bridge, to prevent the entrance of the Americans into the village, where the ene- my was engaged in seeking and destroying military stores. Smoke was seen rising from the fires which they had set. There was also a large body of troops on Lee's hill, near the south bridge. The numbers of the enemy at the bridge, and of those at Col. Barrett's, have been so variously stated, that I will not venture to name them. With re- gard to the former, the different accounts may be explained by suppos- ing the observers to have viewed them at different times. Until a short time before the attack, many of the men were seeking refresh- ment, in the neighboring houses; and, at one time, there was at the bridge only what was called a guard. By Thomas Thorp and Solo- mon Smith, members of Capt. Davis's company, the numbers are stat- ed at much less than has been published ; and by Aaron Jones, a mem- ber of Lt. Hunt's company, it is set lower still.
Other facts will now be related, which, like many of the preceding, are supported by one, or both, of the depositions of Mr. Thorp and Mr. Smith, which will be deposited with the Town Clerk, and may be seen by any who please.
When the Acton minute company had taken its proper place, as above stated, the officers of the other companies were seen to be col- lected together, a few rods distant. Capt. Davis and his officers im- mediately joined them. The deponents could not hear the conversa- tion of the officers, and know not what part Capt. Davis took in it. But he very shortly returned to his company, drew his sword, and, looking at his soldiers, said " I haven't a man that's afraid to go ;" then giving the word " march," he immediately led his company from the station it had taken, and shortly accompanied Major Buttrick to the spot where he fell.
The general facts relating to the fight, as it has been called, are familiarly known, and need not be given. The firing consisted of,
1. Two or three single shots from the enemy, followed by a volley, by which Luther Blanchard, a fifer in Capt. Davis's company, was wounded ;
2. A general fire from the Americans, by order of Major Buttrick, by which one of the enemy was killed, and several were wounded ;
3. A return of the fire which killed Capt. Davis, and Abner Hosmer, of his company, and wounded others.
The enemy retreated, at the moment Davis fell, and not another piece was fired, on either side, till the British left the village.
It is natural to inquire what occasioned the confusion, and want of all military order, from the time that Davis fell. It is stated, in the publication before mentioned, that they had " resolved to march into the middle of the town, for its defence, or die in the attempt ;" that Maj. Buttrick, and Capt. Davis had both used that language. Did any one go ? Not a man. Were any orders given to go? None. What pre- vented ? The enemy, at the bridge, were gone. Major Buttrick and Col. Robinson had the whole road to themselves, with nothing but a flying enemy to stop their march. I ask again, what occasioned the confusion and want of all military order ?
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It is in vain to disguise it. It cannot be denied, that all that was done, before the British left the village, was done before Davis was killed. From that moment, nobody had any command, and nothing was even attempted. Wliat became of Col. Barrett, Major Buttrick, or Col. Robinson, no one has told us. The detachment at Col. Barrett's does not seem to have gained their attention. They were permitted to pass quietly back, over the bridge, and return to their friends, in the village ; and this, at a time, when the Americans were doing nothing, for the want of some one to lead them. The truth is, it was said so at the time, and ever since, that, when Capt. Davis arrived on the ground, no one would agree to go in front. When he arrived, they took courage. His spirit was known, and they relied on it. And I repeat, that the soul of action, on that morning, was the soul of Isaac Davis; and, when that soul fled, the action was over.
But I must hasten to a close.
Of the events of the pursuit in the afternoon, I shall only say, that the men of Acton, generally, joined in it ; and most of them saw the British fugitives, slowly ascending the heights in Charlestown, about sunset.
The bodies of Davis and Hosmer, and also that of James Hayward, the singular circumstances of whose fall, at Lexington, in the after- noon, are well known,* were conveyed to the house of Mrs. Davis. Their funeral was there attended, by the Rev. Mr. Swift, in the pres- ence of a large multitude, who snatched, and spread in all directions, the flames of Liberty, from the altars, on which Davis, and Hosmer, and Hayward were offered.
* Notices of Hayward and Hosmer, with the names of Capt. Davis's company, and the act in- corporating the town of Acton, will be found in the Appendix.
THOIN CHO
Strawberry
Road to Acton.
Union Turnpike
Eph." W.d's
Lieul. Jos. Hener's O
Old South Bridge
River
Alsubet.
Road to Acton
Bridal
Stow
or
Road
Sudbury
Old Road to Sudbury
Maj. Buttrich old. North.
Bridge built in 1193
John Brown 110 The Provincials formed on the high ground.
&Bullrick
Back red
& marched down the east
Se DarisS"
GJJ. Davis
roud. represented by the dotted
· Hosmer fell
Røv. Mr. Emersony
oWid Brown'sTavern
lines. These roads were.
discontinued in 1793, when
Elisha Jones
the bridges below & above
John Handley's
Main
retã,
I to
Capt David Brown's O
the
John Bateman North
This Road & Bridge were made in 1793
Old, Court House Dr. Minotto Grist Mille
House
Mill Pond
Capt. Eph. Jone's Tavern
Turnpike
Mill Brook
E
W --
MAP
of the SCENE of the
CONCORD FIGHT,
As it was at the time; with the alterations & additions of the roads & bridges, which were made soon after, & which yet remain; & will the names of the important places mentioned wi history. as known in 1775. PUBLIHED IN 1835. BY JOSIAH ADAMS. Sale 50 reds lo an Inch . Pendleton's Lithog? Besten
pro. ICH
Spencer Brook
High Croond.
Lold North Bridge
o Aclon
Bridge
Mill Brook
Col. Barrett's O
North
or
Elizabeth
Lee's Hill
Road to Waltham & Bast Suitbie
Elsebeth.
Barrett's Mill
River
Simon Hunt
Wright's Tavern
Meeting
Road to Lexington
were built, & new rouds were made
John Whites Streg
Road to Carlisle & Westford
the
Eph & Willard
Buttrich Riac.
Concord
Old
APPENDIX.
THE general facts relating to the Concord Fight, have long been a matter of history; though not without considerable discrepancy, among the authors, who have undertaken to record them. But a par- ticular account of that memorable day first appeared in 1827, entitled, " A History of the Fight at Concord, by the Rev. Ezra Ripley, D. D., with other citizens of Concord." A second edition was printed in 1832, and the references, which will be made to the book, are to the pages of that edition.
Soon after the delivery of the foregoing Address, there issued from the press " A History of the towns of Concord, Bedford, Acton, Lin- coln, and Carlisle, by Lemuel Shattuck, Member of the Mass. Histor- ical Society." This work also contains a particular history of the Concord Fight. As Mr. Shattuck, though not a native, had, for some years, been among the most respectable inhabitants of Concord, and was, at the time of the publication of the first-mentioned work, com- mencing the collection of materials for his History, it is more than prob- able that he is one of the " other citizens," referred to in the title- page.
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